Amec, which employs more than 500 across sites in Darlington and Wynyard, has been awarded the contract by EDF Energy to extend a gas storage facility in Cheshire.

The project is being led by the Darlington office with engineering starting immediately for a planned completion in July 2012.

The contract, at the Hill Top Farm facility at Warmingham, will see Amec design, install and commission the filtration and compression facilities, after-cooling, de-hydration, metering and utility equipment.

This award extends Amec’s long history with Hill Top as the existing two facilities at the plant were originally designed and engineered by the company.

The work will enable EDF Energy to significantly increase its gas reserves, and contribute to the security of the UK’s gas supplies.

Neil Bruce, executive director of Amec said: “I am delighted that our good and wide-ranging long-term relationship with EDF, combined with our extensive gas storage expertise, has led to this significant award.”

Mark O’Brien EDF Energy’s director, UK gas storage, added: “We’re very pleased to be working with Amec on this latest facility.

“Amec’s expertise in gas storage infrastructure together with their experience of the existing facilities at Hill Top makes them best placed to carry out this work.

“This project will provide valuable capacity at a time when the UK is looking to increase its gas storage capabilities and will support EDF Energy’s gas strategy in helping us to provide secure supplies to our power stations and our customers.”

The work further reinforces the long-standing relationship Amec has with EDF, supporting its lower carbon strategies. Significant project awards include EDF Energy’s combined-cycle gas turbine power station at West Burton and most recently, a contract to support EDF Energy’s nuclear new build operations in the UK as part of their Architect Engineer organisation.